KG Q3 2025: Legacy losses offset fee growth; BVPS $18.57
Kestrel Group Ltd reported third-quarter 2025 results. Total revenues were $17.4 million, driven by net premiums earned of $6.8 million and investment income and gains, while the company recorded a net loss of $5.1 million.
Legacy Reinsurance posted a $9.0 million underwriting loss, including approximately $6.9 million adverse prior period loss development in AmTrust lines and a $3.6 million reduction under the LPT/ADC Agreement, partly offset by favorable development in Workers’ Compensation and other lines. Program Services generated $1.6 million in fee revenue and $1.0 million in net fee income as Kestrel continues to build a fee-based platform.
Investment activities contributed $9.0 million (net investment income $3.5 million; realized and unrealized gains $5.5 million), and foreign exchange and other gains were $2.9 million. General and administrative expenses were $10.8 million, including $1.9 million of one-time items. Total assets were $1.1 billion and shareholders’ equity was $143.8 million. Book value per common share was $18.57 as of September 30, 2025. NOL carryforwards totaled $446.6 million.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Q3 showed fee growth and investment gains, offset by legacy losses.
Kestrel Group posted Q3 revenues of $17.4 million with a net loss of $5.1 million. The Legacy Reinsurance segment drove an underwriting loss of $9.0 million, including approximately $6.9 million adverse prior period development in AmTrust business and a $3.6 million LPT/ADC recoverable reduction. Program Services delivered fee revenue of $1.6 million and net fee income of $1.0 million.
Investment activities contributed $9.0 million (net investment income $3.5 million; gains $5.5 million), and foreign exchange and other gains added $2.9 million. General and administrative expenses were $10.8 million, including $1.9 million of one-time items. Book value per share was $18.57 as of September 30, 2025, with shareholders’ equity of $143.8 million.
The quarter reflects a balance between growing fee-based Program Services and managing runoff in legacy books. Future results will hinge on loss development within Legacy Reinsurance and the pace of fee revenue scaling within Program Services.
8-K Event Classification
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | ||||||||||||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | ||||||||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | ||||||||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | ||||||||||||||
| Title of Each Class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||||||||
| Item 2.02 | Results of Operations and Financial Condition. | ||||
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. | ||||
| Exhibit | ||||||||
| No. | Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release of Kestrel Group Ltd, dated November 5, 2025 | |||||||
| Date: | November 5, 2025 | Kestrel Group Ltd | |||||||||
| By: | /s/ Bradford Luke Ledbetter | ||||||||||
| Name: | Bradford Luke Ledbetter | ||||||||||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||
| Exhibit | ||||||||
| No. | Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release of Kestrel Group Ltd, dated November 5, 2025 | |||||||
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
| Investments: | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (Amortized cost 2025 - $197,941) | $ | 198,658 | $ | — | ||||||||||
Equity securities, at fair value (Cost: 2025 - $11,145) | 11,350 | — | ||||||||||||
| Equity method investments | 32,518 | — | ||||||||||||
| Other investments | 171,791 | — | ||||||||||||
| Total investments | 414,317 | — | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 12,890 | 4,286 | ||||||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 27,634 | — | ||||||||||||
| Accrued investment income | 5,076 | — | ||||||||||||
| Reinsurance balances receivable, net | 9,706 | — | ||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses | 492,790 | — | ||||||||||||
| Net loan receivable from related party | 101,689 | — | ||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | 10,370 | — | ||||||||||||
| Funds withheld receivable | 11,941 | — | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 24,872 | 1,224 | ||||||||||||
| Assets held for sale | 19,155 | — | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,130,440 | $ | 5,510 | ||||||||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||
| Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 677,667 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | 19,615 | — | ||||||||||||
| Liability for securities purchased | 11,692 | — | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 102,874 | 904 | ||||||||||||
| Senior notes - principal amount | 262,361 | — | ||||||||||||
| Less: unamortized fair value adjustment | 88,277 | — | ||||||||||||
| Senior notes, net | 174,084 | — | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities held for sale | 734 | — | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 986,666 | 904 | ||||||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||||||||
| EQUITY | ||||||||||||||
| Common shares | 100 | 27 | ||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 177,101 | 10,107 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (916) | — | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | 18,952 | (5,528) | ||||||||||||
| Treasury shares, at cost | (51,463) | — | ||||||||||||
| Total Equity | 143,774 | 4,606 | ||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 1,130,440 | $ | 5,510 | ||||||||||
Book value per common share(1) | $ | 18.57 | $ | 1.67 | ||||||||||
| Common shares outstanding | 7,741,943 | 2,749,996 | ||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | $ | 3,760 | $ | — | $ | 4,856 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 3,895 | $ | — | $ | 4,990 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premiums | 2,941 | — | 4,268 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | 6,836 | — | 9,258 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenue | 1,621 | 700 | 2,972 | 2,457 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 3,494 | 52 | 5,059 | 170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized investment gains | 5,494 | — | 6,552 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 17,445 | 752 | 23,841 | 2,627 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss and loss adjustment expenses | 10,406 | — | 4,445 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission and other acquisition expenses | 1,718 | — | 2,112 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 10,783 | 1,181 | 17,006 | 3,980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 22,907 | 1,181 | 23,563 | 3,980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and amortization expenses | 4,128 | — | 5,647 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of earn out liability | (2,679) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on bargain purchase | — | — | (73,590) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange and other (gains) losses | (2,854) | — | 2,155 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | (1,405) | — | (65,788) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net (loss) income before income taxes | (4,057) | (429) | 66,066 | (1,353) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: income tax expense | 7 | — | 102 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest in loss of equity method investments | (24) | — | (24) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net (loss) income from continuing operations | (4,088) | (429) | 65,940 | (1,353) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax | (965) | — | (1,460) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (5,053) | $ | (429) | $ | 64,480 | $ | (1,353) | ||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations | $ | (0.53) | $ | (0.16) | $ | 12.99 | $ | (0.49) | ||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations | (0.12) | — | (0.29) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Kestrel common shareholders | $ | (0.65) | $ | (0.16) | $ | 12.70 | $ | (0.49) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized return on average common equity | (13.6) | % | (36.3) | % | 116.2 | % | (35.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares - basic and diluted | 7,741,943 | 2,749,996 | 5,053,828 | 2,749,996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Legacy Reinsurance | Program Services | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 3,760 | $ | — | $ | 3,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 3,895 | $ | — | $ | 3,895 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 6,836 | $ | — | $ | 6,836 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee revenue | — | 1,621 | 1,621 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses ("loss and LAE") | (10,406) | — | (10,406) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commission and other acquisition expenses | (1,718) | — | (1,718) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses(2) | (3,689) | (664) | (4,353) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting loss and fee income(3) | $ | (8,977) | $ | 957 | (8,020) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation to net loss from continuing operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income and net realized and unrealized investment gains | 8,988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest and amortization expenses | (4,128) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of earn out liability | 2,679 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange and other gains, net | 2,854 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other general and administrative expenses(2) | (6,430) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest in loss of equity method investments | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (4,088) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Legacy Reinsurance | Program Services | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee revenue | $ | — | $ | 700 | $ | 700 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses(2) | — | (590) | (590) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income(4) | $ | — | $ | 110 | 110 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation to net loss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other general and administrative expenses(2) | (591) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (429) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Legacy Reinsurance | Program Services | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 4,856 | $ | — | $ | 4,856 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 4,990 | $ | — | $ | 4,990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 9,258 | $ | — | $ | 9,258 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee revenue | — | 2,972 | 2,972 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss and LAE | (4,445) | — | (4,445) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commission and other acquisition expenses | (2,112) | — | (2,112) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses(2) | (5,432) | (2,003) | (7,435) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting loss and fee income(3) | $ | (2,731) | $ | 969 | (1,762) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation to net income from continuing operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income and net realized and unrealized investment gains | 11,611 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest and amortization expenses | (5,647) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on bargain purchase | 73,590 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange and other losses, net | (2,155) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other general and administrative expenses(2) | (9,571) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (102) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest in loss from equity method investments | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 65,940 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Legacy Reinsurance | Program Services | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee revenue | $ | — | $ | 2,457 | $ | 2,457 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses(2) | — | (1,990) | (1,990) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | $ | — | $ | 467 | 467 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation to net loss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 170 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other general and administrative expenses(2) | (1,990) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,353) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP operating loss (4) | $ | (15,091) | $ | (429) | $ | (12,023) | $ | (1,353) | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP basic and diluted operating loss per common share attributable to Kestrel common shareholders(4) | $ | (1.95) | $ | (0.16) | $ | (2.38) | $ | (0.49) | ||||||||||||||||||
Annualized non-GAAP operating return on average adjusted common equity(5) | (40.7) | % | (36.3) | % | (21.7) | % | (35.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of net loss to non-GAAP operating loss: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (5,053) | $ | (429) | $ | 64,480 | $ | (1,353) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Add (subtract): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized investment gains | (5,494) | — | (6,552) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange and other (gains) losses | (2,854) | — | 2,155 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest in loss of equity method investments | 24 | — | 24 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bargain purchase gain | — | — | (73,590) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss from discontinued operations | 965 | — | 1,460 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of earn out consideration | (2,679) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP operating loss (4) | $ | (15,091) | $ | (429) | $ | (12,023) | $ | (1,353) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares - basic and diluted | 7,741,943 | 2,749,996 | 5,053,828 | 2,749,996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Kestrel common shareholders to non-GAAP diluted operating loss per share attributable to Kestrel common shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders | $ | (0.65) | $ | (0.16) | $ | 12.70 | $ | (0.49) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Add (subtract): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized investment gains | (0.71) | — | (1.29) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange and other (gains) losses | (0.37) | — | 0.44 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest in loss of equity method investments | — | — | 0.01 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bargain purchase gain | — | — | (14.54) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss from discontinued operations | 0.13 | — | 0.30 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of earn out consideration | (0.35) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP diluted operating loss per share attributable to common shareholders(4) | $ | (1.95) | $ | (0.16) | $ | (2.38) | $ | (0.49) | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Investable assets: | |||||||||||
| Total investments | $ | 414,317 | $ | — | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 12,890 | 4,286 | |||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 27,634 | — | |||||||||
| Net loan receivable from related party | 101,689 | — | |||||||||
| Funds withheld receivable | 11,941 | — | |||||||||
Total investable assets(6) | $ | 568,471 | $ | 4,286 | |||||||
| Capital: | |||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | $ | 143,774 | $ | 4,606 | |||||||
2016 Senior Notes | 110,000 | — | |||||||||
2013 Senior Notes | 152,361 | — | |||||||||
Total capital resources(7) | $ | 406,135 | $ | 4,606 | |||||||
| (1) Book value per common share is calculated using shareholders’ equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding. Management uses growth in this metric as a prime measure of the value we are generating for our common shareholders, because management believes that growth in this metric ultimately results in growth in the Company’s common share price. This metric is impacted by the Company’s net income and external factors, such as interest rates, which can drive changes in unrealized gains or losses on our investment portfolio as well as share repurchases. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Underwriting and fee income related general and administrative expenses is a non-GAAP measure and includes expenses which are segregated for analytical purposes as a component of underwriting and fee income (loss). | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (3) Underwriting and fee income or loss is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated as net premiums earned plus fee revenue less net loss and LAE, commission and other acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses directly related to underwriting and fee revenue activities. For purposes of these non-GAAP operating measures, the fee-generating business, which is included in our Program Services segment, is considered part of the underwriting and fee income operations of the Company. Management believes that this measure is important in evaluating the underwriting and fee income performance of the Company and its segments. This measure is also a useful tool to measure the profitability of the Company separately from the investment results and is also a widely used performance indicator in the insurance industry. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (4) Non-GAAP operating earnings (loss) and non-GAAP basic and diluted operating earnings (loss) per common share are non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income (loss) excluding realized investment gains and losses, foreign exchange and other gains and losses, interest in income (loss) of equity method investment, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss). It also excludes on a non-recurring basis: (1) loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax; (2) the bargain purchase gain resulting from the Combination Agreement; and (3) the change in the fair value of the earn out liability. The Company's management believes that the use of non-GAAP operating earnings (loss) and non-GAAP diluted operating earnings (loss) per common share enables investors and other users of the Company’s financial information to analyze its performance in a manner similar to how management analyzes performance. Management also believes that these measures generally follow industry practice therefore allowing the users of financial information to compare the Company’s performance with its industry peer group, and that the equity analysts and certain rating agencies which follow the Company, and the insurance industry as a whole, generally exclude these items from their analyses for the same reasons. Non-GAAP operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (5) Non-GAAP operating return on average shareholders' equity is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management uses non-GAAP operating return on average adjusted shareholders' equity as a measure of profitability that focuses on the return to common shareholders. It is calculated using non-GAAP operating earnings divided by average shareholders' equity. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (6) Investable assets are the total of the Company's investments, cash and cash equivalents, net loan receivable from related party and funds withheld receivable. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (7) Total capital resources are the sum of the Company's principal amount of debt and shareholders' equity. | ||||||||||||||||||||